Advertisement

Nagoya

Home to automobile giants Toyota, Honda and Mitsubishi, Nagoya has truly seen through its turbulent times during the World War II to flourish into a major economic hub. The city is filled with charming attractions, towering skyscrapers and historical sites that make it the well-rounded city the world loves. Stroll through the city streets and you’ll discover a harmonious blend of old and new in the well-preserved streets, wonderful gardens, tranquil shrines and of course, shopping arcades.

Top 5 Must Do's

Nagoya Castle

If you spot the astounding structure with the two golden carps on the roof, you’ll know that you’ve reached Nagoya Castle. One of the most important castles in Japan, bask in the rich history behind the Edo-period building or get a history lesson in the castle museum. Head on over to the observation deck for a great view of Nagoya, or take a walk in the gardens as well!

Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium

Time to make new friends, and best ones are always the biggest! Say hello to Bingo and Stella, the killer whale couple with a penchant for swimming and fresh seafood, along with their two daughters. Once you’re done, come on over to greet the bumbling penguins, sea turtles, dolphins and a whole lot of fishes!

Miso

If you love miso, you will love Nagoya. The sauce made from fermented soybeans and grain is a constant in the culinary scene here, and the local misokatsu dish (fried pork cutlet with rich, red miso sauce) is definitely a memorable one to have here in Nagoya.

Kakamigahara Aerospace Museum

Dreamt of flying? A 50-minute train ride away from Nagoya station will land you at this amazing large-scale facility where you’ll be able to see 35 real airplanes and rockets, sit in the cockpits and see what it feels like to be a pilot! Aviation geeks will definitely find this fascinating.

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

There are zoos and there are zoos, but there is no zoo like one of Asia’s largest – Higashiyama Zoo. Imagine an explosive combination of a zoo that contains more than 125 species of mammals, an amusement park (yes, that’s right!) and beautiful botanical gardens that boast a greenhouse, insect hall and sky tower. Check out the Medaka tropical fish that flew on the space shuttle with Japan’s astronauts!